Name: Calls grow for transparency in Epstein case after files retracted
Uploaded: 2025-12-22T02:21:52.806Z
Duration: 2 min 14 s
Description: US Democrats have accused the local Department of Justice of removing at least 16 documents from the first batch of Epstein files, including a photograph showing Donald Trump, less than 24 hours after their release.

US Democrats have accused the local Department of Justice of removing at least 16 documents from the first batch of Epstein files, including a photograph showing Donald Trump, less than 24 hours after their release.

Washington

Recently released files related to the Jeffrey Epstein case briefly appeared online before being removed, containing significant redactions and less information than anticipated. The documents included previously unseen images of public figures such as former President Bill Clinton and Britain's former Prince Andrew, drawing broad attention.

The Department of Justice denies withholding material to protect President Trump, but critics and survivors argue the release is insufficient and are calling for greater accountability. Political analysts warn that the limited disclosure could have political consequences, especially as pressure mounts for transparency ahead of the next midterm elections.

Calls grow for transparency in Epstein case after files retracted

This image contains a photograph of US President Donald Trump and was among a group of files that briefly appeared online on Friday before disappearing less than 24 hours later. The files in general contained heavy redactions and far less information than some had anticipated. Several documents included previously unseen images of former President Bill Clinton as well as Britain's former Prince Andrew, among others. Material that has drawn attention beyond President Trump himself. The Department of Justice says it is not withholding material to shield President Trump from scrutiny. But critics say that's implausible. Well I think it's pretty obvious to me that the delay had everything to do with Trump's Justice Department to redact anything and everything that would tell the truth about Trump and the files. The family of Virginia Giuffre, one of Jeffrey Epstein's most prominent accusers, says the documents released so far fall short of what survivors were promised and that they will seek accountability. We're going to do our due diligence, you know, between us, the survivors, the lawyers. We know what should be in there and we're going to comb through every single page and we're going to hold them accountable. Political analysts warn that the scale of the redactions and the limited scope of the release could carry consequences for the president. By failing to actually do a full disclosure of the Epstein files, this story is just going to continue to drag on. And what we're going to continue to see is more and more congressional Republicans separating themselves from Trump and kind of thinking more about what they need to do to get re-elected in the next fall because it's very clear that Donald Trump is unpopular. With next year's midterm elections on lawmakers' minds, pressure is mounting for greater transparency and for answers that many, on both sides of the political spectrum, say are still missing.

At least 15 documents related to Jeffrey Epstein that were initially made public have been pulled from the Justice Department website. The agency says it will keep reviewing and redacting materials to "protect victims."

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The Justice Department released more documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Saturday after failing to meet Friday's deadline to release all the documents, as required by the law signed by President Trump last month. The Justice Department said the delay was, in part, to ensure that victims' information was protected.

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Under a law passed by Congress and signed by President Trump, the Justice Department has until Friday to release its files on the Jeffrey Epstein case. House Democrats released more photos from the estate of the convicted sex offender. Scott MacFarlane reports.

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